11
Tips for Avoiding Problems With Your Mover
With millions of moves
every year in the United States, it’s a minor miracle that most of them go
smoothly, with no issues whatsoever.
Even with so many
smooth moves, scams or shoddy practices do occur. It’s in your interest
to be informed about every step in the process.
Here are 11 ways to
avoid problems when managing your move:
1. Don’t let your
mover phone it in
A mover who gives you
a sight-unseen estimate cannot be trusted.
A reputable moving
company will send a well-trained estimator to your home to see your belongings
and determine the bulk and weight of your move. The estimator should be
thorough and check all of your storage places such as cupboards, drawers,
garages and bookcases. A large component of the mover’s price is based on the
weight of your stuff and the space your goods take up in the truck. Be sure you
understand this estimate and that it is as accurate as possible.
2. Look for more than
a cursory glance
An estimator who
performs a quick walk-through without noting what you plan to move is going to
be off the mark. A good estimator will ask questions about what you plan to
take from your current house to your next home. So, be sure you are
prepared to tell the estimator which items you don’t want on the truck—the
items you plan to give away, donate to a charity, sell in a yard sale, or leave
behind for the new owners.
3. Don’t pay a large
deposit
Reputable movers won’t
demand cash or a large deposit before moving. You should only pay upon delivery.
If you pay in advance, you have no control over when you will see your
belongings again. When you do pay, use a credit card to help protect you from
possible fraudulent activity.
4. Avoid the name
switch
Some companies avoid
being assessed by the Better Business Bureau by doing business under a variety
of names. Be sure the company has a local address and information about
licensing and insurance. Their employees should answer the phone with the full
name of the business.
Find out if there are
any other names the company “does business as,” as well as their state and
federal license numbers. Search online to see if there are complaints about the
company. To find out more about the company’s history, call the consumer
complaints hotline at the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 888-368-7238.
5. Get references
Ask any mover you
speak with for references. Tell them you want a list of three customers from
your area who have moved in the past three months. Call those customers and ask
direct questions about their experiences.
6. Avoid packing costs
If you pack your
belongings yourself, the mover generally isn’t responsible for damage to them.
However, if you have your mover do the packing, you may pay inflated prices for
boxes and packing materials, not to mention time and labor. If you decide to
have the movers pack, ask about the packers’ experience. Most packers are
careful, but you want to avoid the chance of getting someone who tosses
whatever they can into a box and then seals it up with little regard for
breakage.
7. Beware of extra
fees
Do you live in a
two-story house or are you moving into one? Moving to or from a 10th-floor
apartment? If so, you’ll likely be charged extra for the movers’ having to
negotiate stairs and elevators. Have a narrow street that won’t fit a moving
van? Expect a surcharge for the transfer of your belongings to a smaller truck
for delivery. Make sure to ask your mover about any additional fees that may
apply to your situation.
8. Avoid a blank
contract
Never sign a blank
contract. Get absolutely everything in writing. The mover’s estimate and any
extra fees should be listed, as well as your pick-up and delivery dates.
Read your contract and
make sure all of your belongings are listed. If your laptop isn’t labeled on
the inventory form you sign before the driver leaves, you can’t expect it to be
in the box when he arrives. You can’t file a claim for something that
doesn’t appear on the inventory list.
9. Don’t accept the
“guaranteed” quote
There are two kinds of
moving contracts:
A non-binding estimate on your contract means the company
cannot require payment more than 10% above the original estimate. Any overages
must by paid within 30 days of delivery.
A binding estimate on your contract is supposed to be a
guaranteed price for the move and all extras and services. If you request
additional services (such as unpacking), any extra fees must be paid within 30
days of delivery.
10. Don’t let the
window of opportunity close
You have nine months
to report any problems to the moving company and file an insurance claim. So if
you’re opening boxes a year later and find shards of glass, you’re out of luck.
On moving day, try to
open each box and sift through it to check for damage. Note any problems on the
mover’s copy of the bill of lading before signing it.
Your mover has 30 days
to acknowledge receipt of your claim. Within 120 days of receiving it, he must
deny your claim or make an offer to pay.
11. Understand
insurance and valuation protection
All moving companies
are required to assume liability for the value of the goods they transport.
However, there are two different levels of liability. You need to be aware of
the charges that apply and the amount of protection provided by each level.
Full (Replacement)
Value Protection: This
is the most comprehensive plan available for the protection of your
goods. Unless you select the Alternative Level of Liability described
below, your shipment will be transported under your mover’s Full (Replacement)
Value Protection level of liability. With this plan, whenever an article is
lost, destroyed or damaged while in your mover’s custody, the mover has the
option to either:
§ Repair the article to the extent necessary to
restore it to the same condition as when it was received by your mover, or pay
you for the cost of repairs.
§ Replace the article with an article of like
kind and quality, or pay you for the cost of replacement.
Under this option,
movers are permitted to limit their liability for loss or damage to articles of
extraordinary value, unless you specifically list these articles on the
shipping documents. An article of extraordinary value is any item whose value
exceeds $100 per pound (for example, jewelry, silverware, china, furs,
antiques, rugs and electronics). Ask your mover for a complete explanation of
this limitation before your move. It’s your responsibility to study this
provision carefully and make the necessary declaration.
Alternative Level of
Liability: This no-cost option is
the most economical protection available, but it provides only minimal
protection. Under this option, the mover assumes liability for no more than 60
cents per pound, per article. Loss or damage claims are settled based on the
pound weight of the article multiplied by 60 cents. For example, if a 10-pound
stereo component valued at $1,000 were lost or destroyed, the mover would be
liable for no more than $6 (10 pounds x 60 cents). There is no extra charge for
this minimal protection, but you must sign a specific statement on the bill of
lading agreeing to it. If you do not select this alternative level of
liability, your shipment will be transported at the full (replacement) value
level of liability and you will be assessed the applicable valuation charge.
